In 2022, Latvia launched its only national deposit logistics center – a milestone project that the local press dubbed “nationally significant.” As a central infrastructure element of Latvia’s deposit return system (DRS), the center was designed to handle and sort millions of beverage bottles and cans returned through the new nationwide scheme. MOTECHA was entrusted with delivering the core engineering solution behind the facility.

Despite the risks posed by global supply chain disruptions during the post-COVID period, MOTECHA successfully managed all technical aspects of the project, from planning and equipment integration to on-site implementation. The logistics center was launched on time and met the highest quality standards.

The system required combining multiple automated technologies into one seamless line. It featured barcode counting equipment and a near-infrared (NIR) optical sorter capable of identifying PET bottles not only by material but also by color and shade – a critical detail in achieving high sorting precision.

In its first year of operation, Latvian citizens returned more than 250 million beverage containers via the deposit system. As a result, over 3,750 tons of PET, 3,800 tons of glass, and 1,000 tons of aluminum packaging waste were sorted and sent for recycling – with the material purity rate exceeding 98%.

The deposit system ensures not only high collection efficiency but also exceptional material quality – something that’s hard to achieve in mixed municipal collection systems. Deposit-collected PET is clean, homogeneous, and ideal for closed-loop recycling, where used beverage containers are turned back into food-grade bottles.

This system significantly contributes to reducing raw material waste and plastic pollution. With return rates above 90%, fewer containers end up in landfills or the environment, minimizing the risk of long-term ecological damage like microplastic contamination.

Moreover, clean, source-separated material lowers the cost of recycling and increases the economic viability of local processing. It creates a stable feedstock for recyclers, encourages investment in modern technology, and reduces dependence on virgin plastic imports, which are associated with high CO₂ emissions.

The deposit system is instrumental in helping Latvia – and other EU countries – meet upcoming circular economy requirements, including the mandate that all PET bottles must contain at least 25% recycled plastic by 2025, and 30% by 2030. These targets can only be met with the kind of high-quality recycled material that deposit systems consistently deliver.

As the engineering partner behind the logistics center, MOTECHA played a strategic role in creating the infrastructure necessary for sustainable material management – one that is aligned with the most advanced circular economy principles.

Motecha’s experience in waste sorting and plastics recycling engineering enables clients like Nordic Plast to scale operations with confidence. From system planning to process flow optimization, Motecha delivers solutions built for efficiency, quality, and long-term impact.

Looking for a partner who understands both technology and your operational goals?
Contact Motecha – we design solutions that work.